To the ends of the earth

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:46 pm

Packing my bags today ready to go off on what has to be the madest BX recovery trip I've ever done.

I'll be leaving in the morning and hopefully back Thursday or Friday, depending on weather and BX. Not to mention the 12 hour train journey

I'm taking camera and with luck should get some nice pics to share with you later

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:09 pm

I guess Thunderbird 2 is surplus to requirements for a solo trip....

Post by **Tim Leech** » Mon Sep 14, 2009 3:40 pm

Nice to hear you are rejoining the fold Ken!

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:30 am

Well I've been, and now I'm back

Today has been the longest drive I've ever done

This was the daunting sign that faced me at the start of my journey home at about 11.15 this morning

I'd gone up on the train yesterday to pick up this, and this was the car parked at the local station.

For those who've never heard of Georgemas Junction, it's about 10 miles this side of John O Groats
And heres the car about 130 miles later, stopped for a photo stop on the Cairn Gormes

510 Miles in one day, the car had been laid up since January and needed a new battery, which took some finding in Wick this morning I can tell you. Other than that it performed faultlessly and used about £40 of diesel but at £1.12p/Ltr

Post by **docchevron** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 1:21 am

Blimey, you couldn't really have gone any further!
A mighty long way without back up for a car that's been stood, brave man!
Looks nice though, what trim spec is it?
I'm assuming a turbo yes?

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:02 am

It's a nice-looking DTR, judging by the C-pillar "windows", though an H-plate's a little late for that. By the way, Ken, my remark about Thunderbird 2 is because an XM (particularly in green) reminds me of that bit of Tracy rolling stock, and it was a rescue mission.

Judging by the fact you got back safely, you can't describe the animal and car in picture no. 2 the same way.

Quite a haul. The last BX but one had a tax disk from Thurso Post Office, and I thought that was pretty far North. The next one you rescue should come from somewhere like St Just or Sennen in Cornwall - just for the sake of completeness.

jonathan_dyane · Post by **jonathan_dyane** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 2:21 am

Excellent result Ken! I am very pleased that there are people even madder than me in terms of how far they are prepared to go to buy the right car...

kiwi · Post by **kiwi** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 7:49 am

Noice looks like my TZS

Post by **Tim Leech** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:20 am

Glad to hear you got home OK ken, a very rare 19TZD AUTO too!

ken newbold · Post by **ken newbold** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:21 am

The car is in fact a 19TZD auto with 63k on the clock. When I saw the sign Inverness 102 I thought if it gets to Inverness, it'll get me home. The first 30 miles were a bit iffy, it didn't like hills and there was a bit of power fall off probably due to rusty valve seats but I went down this BIG hill down to the sea and then up the other side, hundreds of feet up! a very long hard climb after which it was fine.
Brave? either that of daft

but it was a good offer, come and take it away

plus accomodation for the night or two if you like.

What surprised me was I enjoyed the drive back more than the train journey out. The scenery and weather was breathtaking, only bad bit was round Glasgow where I happened to be at 5pm,

bad planning.

I never saw another hydraulic cit north of Glasgow other than the odd C5, no BX's, XM,s or even X@ntias.
If you've never been up there, I can highly recommend it, people are so friendly and laid back, don't be put off by the distance, it's well worth it!

Oh, and Barnes the dog didn't come with the car

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 9:35 am

Sterling job there, Ken. Looks a lovely car - and the scenery looks stunning.

RxBX · Post by **RxBX** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:11 am

Well done Ken with your latest BX acquisition, if it needs a good clean/polish especially with it being White, I know someone who could possibly do that if you asked them nicely

DLM · Post by **DLM** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:21 am

What surprised me was I enjoyed the drive back more than the train journey out.

The the most northern part of your journey (375km or so on the routefinder I use) - must have been on roads with probably more character than the average stretch of road, and that's the sort of road where almost any BX is most fun to drive. Is there anywhere else in the UK where you could drive that distance and where non-motorway roads are the only option?

Thickasmud enjoyed plenty of miles too in a diesel auto on French roads with character,despite initial misgivings http://bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php ... highlight=

Max Greenwood also found a TZD chewed up rural and twisty Irish miles in a very satisfying way http://bxclub.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php ... hlight=tzd.

Some of the most interesting and enjoyable journeys I've had with a BX in the UK have been by avoiding the motorways and taking a (sometimes) more relaxed option. For example, South-West Wales to Mid-or-North Wales and beyond (and vice versa), across Devon and Cornwall, South Coast to points nearer the Severn, points near the Severn to South-West Wales cross-country. I've also greatly enjoyed hacking a BX across bits of Northern France cross-country at various times.

Does anyone have a particularly favourite BX-friendly bit of road or favourite relaxed route?

Dollywobbler · Post by **Dollywobbler** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 11:40 am

Nice roadtrip! Took the 2CV up to the north of Scotland last year. Perfect car for those roads! It really is absolutely stunning up there. BXagon Northern Rally needed perhaps?

Philip Chidlow · Post by **Philip Chidlow** » Thu Sep 17, 2009 12:23 pm

Ooooh

How about, BXagon II, 'The Highland Challenge'...

(Only a suggestion)...